Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The church of the Nativity-de-la-Vierge de Villaz, located in Haute-Savoie, replaces a primitive church mentioned in the twelfth century. Between 1311 and 1342 it was attached to the Priory of Sévrier. The current building, dating from the early 16th century, has a bell tower and a late Gothic choir, both bearing the inscription of 1511. A stained glass window dedicated to the Virgin, probably contemporary, was restored in 1988.

In 1607 Bishop François de Sales visited the parish, marking its religious importance. Around 1670, Bishop d'Arenthon d'Alex offered a painting representing the Virgin to the Child. The 500 years of the church were celebrated in 2011, highlighting its longevity. Several elements, including stained glass windows and a wooden crucifix, have been classified as historical monuments since the 20th and 21st centuries.

The bells, melted by the Paccard workshops, and the liturgical furniture, inventoried in 1921, bear witness to its rich heritage. The church remains a symbol of the sacred in Savoy, linked to the history of the diocese of Annecy and late Gothic art. His 16th century stained glass window, representing God the Father and the evangelists, illustrates his artistic and spiritual importance.

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